News Releases 2013

LeTourneau University will present the multiple Grammy Award-winning Bill Gaither and Gaither Vocal Band in concert at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, in the S.E. Belcher Jr. Chapel and Performance Center, 2100 South Mobberly Ave. in Longview.

Gaither, a seven-time-Grammy Award winner, will host the evening with music, laughter and encouragement featuring the Gaither Vocal Band all-star lineup of Mark Lowry, Michael English, David Phelps, and Wes Hampton joining him.

“These artists celebrate timeless themes of faith, unity and eternal hope through a variety of music the whole family will enjoy,” said Cynthia Hellen, Belcher Center director. “Tickets are on sale now, but are selling fast for this show.”

Complete ticket information, including group ticket rates, is available at the Belcher Center Box Office at (903)233-3080. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.BelcherCenter.com or www.gaither.com.

Year after year, Gaither has brought his Homecoming Tour into cities worldwide, performing to packed houses with collective attendance figures exceeding 1.1 million people and being ranked among the top concerts for tickets sold worldwide in any music genre during the past decade. Each concert showcases gospel music's finest talent and draws new listeners with every city. The concert will also showcase many of the songs included on the recently released, Pure & Simple recording.

Gaither says he continues to be delighted at audiences' response to the concert tour, now more than 40 years after he quit his day job as a teacher.

“I've always said it all starts with a great song,” Gaither said. “And we are so fortunate that each concert includes great songs that have stood the test of time and some of the greatest voices in any genre of music. With all the musical choices that are available now, there is still a very special place for the joy and optimism that reside in gospel music. Good news never gets old.”

Named ASCAP's Songwriters of the Century, Bill and Gloria Gaither have written more than 700 popular gospel songs throughout their multi-decade career, including favorite standards “He Touched Me,” Because He Lives,” and “There's Just Something About That Name.”

Since 1992, when Gaither began recording the celebrated Homecoming series of DVDs and CDs, most every volume has gone gold or platinum with sales totaling approximately 100 million volumes. The programs appear regularly on television networks around the world.

The Gaither Vocal Band was founded in 1981 and is led by Gaither, who has established himself as a Christian music icon . The band’s all-star roster of members has included 16 of the industry's most impressive talent during the past three decades. In 2011, the band’s world-wide tour included more than 50 tour dates across the US, plus international appearances in Europe, South America and South Africa and continues to reach new audiences each year.